Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-01-01
CIuyerius's Case.

MIR. Carter Harrison, one OF tne IurJmeu
in the Cluyerius case, has addressed letter
to Gov. Lee, appealing to him to reconsider
his official action declining TO commute the
punishment of Ciuverius. In his letter MIR.
Harrison admits the authorship of the ap-
peal for Communication which was presented
to the Governor some week ago, signed by
himself and two fellow jurors, Messrs.
French and Sherwood He says had he
alone been the man ito bear the brunt,
stand the assaults of the blooGthrsty rabble
whose rabid instincts control in reasons
stead" the appeal would have been couched
in far different strain. He Gays Cluverius's
trial and conviction from first 10 last was
q horrible and CHASTITY farce, revolving in its
nature, damning in its effects, and in every
way tending to bring dishoHor and shame
on the jurisprudence of the Commmon
wealth." In writing the appeal for commu-
tation Mr.. Harrison says the object was
simply 10 frame document acceptable TO
the largest number OF the Jurors, and, above
all, knowing from month of familiar IN!
tercourse ard close association the novel
character Of some Of our colleagues, 1t was
deemed best to ask them to agree to some
thing which, if pressed loo hard by public
opinlor-upon which their lives and charac-
tiers seemed so vitality to depend--they could
somehow wiiggle out Of, or at least do some
thing non committal." Despite this, the pc
tition was untouched in Richmond except by
Mr.. Harrison, which he attributes TO the pc.
sition taken by the Richmond press. He
discaims any intention to reflect upon the
character or moral courage OF any gentle
man of the jury who declined to sign the
appeal for communication, but" says he,
unfortunately for the furtherance of the
ends Of justice and the maintenance of
lust and uninHuenced administration of the
law, they have perhaps somewhat too pro-
found regard for public opinion
Mr.. Harrison says it is matter OF COM
mon report that one Of the jurors who sat
upon the case was perjurer, and says this
report is substantiated "py the solemn oaths
of half score or more of reputable citizens
of Alexandria" He further says that There
is among very many worthy persons au idea
that the case had not at the time OF hearing
by the Court of Appeals, nor has yet, been
freed from the manipulatory influences OF
the hired detectives and other manufactur'
ers of evidence to order"
Abiding to the opening of the watch-key
by Joel, the 'itinerant key-maker," for the
Governors inspection, Mr.. Harrison says
that was new evidence, and the argument
was supplied by the prosecuting attorney
in reply to the Governors request for an
opiuion." He suggests that this proceeding
was ex parte.
Mr.. Harrison reiterates that ''ii the jury
were invested with discretionary powers
they were ignorant of the fact, for had they
been enlightened upon this point no verdict
of murder in the first degree could or
should ever have been reached, notwith-
standing threats, menaces and every other
effort to intimidate, efforts which have con.
tinued up to the present time-as far as
your correspondent is concerned-in the
form of abuse, insulting and cowardly mes
sages through the mails, from dastards and
cravens all over the land"
He also says he does not refer to the guilt
or innocence OF Cuverius. He simply con-
tends that he has not had fair and Impair
tial trial. He claims that Cluverius had
right to be tried by twelve of his peers. and
this was not done, "unless Cluverius is en-
inebrate, and subject to all the mental dis
orders superinduceo by inebriety." MIR.
Harrison suggests that the Governor consult
DR.. Cabell "who was called in at the Ex-
change Hotel to attend one of the jurors.
Ask him as to the probable mental condi-
ton of his patient during the first three days
of the trial"